Yoon Joon-byung: "Park Won-soon's Memorial Altar Violating Infectious Disease Rules? A Low-Level Baseless Claim"

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Yoon Joon-byung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the United Future Party for raising suspicions of violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act at the memorial altar for the 49th-day memorial service of the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, calling it "a low-level, self-serving, and unreasonable claim and interpretation."

On the 26th, Yoon said in a post on his Facebook, "There is no illegal element in the installation of the memorial altar for the late Mayor Park."

He argued, "According to the interpretations of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the installation of Mayor Park's memorial altar falls under a gathering, but it does not fall under an assembly in the city center, which Seoul prohibited due to concerns about the spread of infectious diseases."

He added, "Nevertheless, some members of the United Future Party make legal interpretations and claims that make us question their qualifications as members of the legislative body," and pointed out, "They should stop their low-level legal interpretations and unreasonable claims that mislead the public, take responsibility for participating in the Gwanghwamun rally that triggered the COVID-19 pandemic, and apologize to the public."

Earlier, Park Dae-chul of the United Future Party claimed, "Since the Ministry of Health and Welfare has effectively issued an authoritative interpretation that the installation of Mayor Park's memorial altar is 'illegal,' the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which installed it, as well as Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea who served as co-chairman of the joint funeral committee, and other ruling party directors should bear responsibility for the spread of infectious diseases."

As the controversy grew, the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a clarification on the afternoon of the 25th, stating, "The Ministry has never expressed an opinion that the installation of Mayor Park's memorial altar is illegal under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act."

Meanwhile, the 49th-day memorial service for the late Mayor Park was held at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul with only immediate family members attending due to COVID-19. An online memorial ceremony was held from 5 p.m. that day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.